Apparatus for cleaning large rings

ABSTRACT

For cleaning die pallet rings which may range in diameter from 18 in. to over 6 ft., and which consist of a generally cylindrical rim portion, an outer flange, and an inner flange, the cleaning apparatus includes support means consisting of a base carrying two rotatable support wheels for supporting and guiding the ring, and an adjustable guide wheel on a standard for guiding the upper periphery of the ring and supporting the ring in a vertical plane. One of the base support wheels is adjustable to accommodate rings of different size. A powered radial brush for cleaning the rim surface of the ring, is adjustably mounted on the frame to position the brush relative to a particular size of ring, and is also movable by a power cylinder into and out of engagement with the surface to be cleaned during operation. Two powered cup brushes are mounted on the frame to engage side surfaces of the ring, each of these being mounted for reciprocating movement into and out of engagement with the ring during operation by a power cylinder. The brush units may be mounted on suitable carriages for movement parallel to the plane of the supported ring, to accommodate rings of different size. An overhead frame supports a track and hoist for loading and unloading rings from the apparatus.

United States Patent 1 1 Neal [4 1 Mar. 19, 1974 APPARATUS FOR CLEANINGLARGE RINGS [76] Inventor: Robert D. Neal, 1902 Kirkwood Cir.,Carrollton, Tex. 75006 [22] Filed: Dec. 11, 1972 21 App1.No.:313,772

[52] US. Cl. 15/21 D, 15/21 C, 51/104, 51/290 [51] Int. Cl A46b 13/02[58] Field of Search 15/21 R, 21 B, 21 C, 21 D, 15/93 R, 97 R; 51/49,51, 104, 106, 179,

Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Peter J.Murphy; Cecil L. Wood [57] ABSTRACT For cleaning die pallet rings whichmay range in diameter from 18 in. to over 6 ft., and which consist of agenerally cylindrical rim portion, an outer flange, and an inner flange,the cleaning apparatus includes support means consisting of a basecarrying two rotatable support wheels for supporting and guiding thering, and an adjustable guide wheel on a standard for guiding the upperperiphery of the ring and supporting the ring in a vertical plane. Oneof the base support wheels is adjustable to accommodate rings ofdifferent size. A powered radial brush for cleaning the rim surface ofthe ring, is adjustably mounted on the frame to position the brushrelative to a particular size of ring, and is also movable by a powercylinder into and out of engagement with the surface to be cleanedduring operation. Two powered cup brushes are mounted on the frame toengage side surfaces of the ring, each of these being mounted forreciprocating movement into and out of engagement with the ring duringoperation by a power cylinder. The brush units may be mounted onsuitable carriages 'for movement parallel to the plane of the supportedring, to accommodate rings of different size. An overhead frame supportsa track and hoist for loading and unloading rings from the apparatus.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHAR as 1924 3l797l058 sum 3 er 3APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LARGE RINGS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF TI-IEINVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for the cleaning of largerings, particularly die pallet rings which are used in the manufactureof concrete pipe.

In the process of manufacturing concrete pipe, die pallet rings orsocket curing pallets are used over and over; and prior to each use mustbe thoroughly cleaned of material adhering to the pallet from theprevious usage. In present practice this is frequently done by handresulting in a high labor cost and frequently inefficient andineffective cleaning. To have the most efficient and economic use of thepallets, it is important that the pallets be processed rapidly aftereach use for subsequent reuse. This practice would reduce the number ofpallets which must be available at the manufacturing plant.

While some mechanized apparatus has been made available for palletcleaning operations such apparatus has been uneconomic and inefflcientsince it is limited to the handling of rings of a single size or ringswithin a very small range of sizes.

In a typical concrete pipe plant, pipe may be made at different timesvarying in diameter from 12 to 108 inches; and of course the plant musthave on hand a sufficient quantity of pallets for manufacturing thedesired volume of each size pipe. It is desirable to have apparatus thatcan accomplish the desired cleaning operation in a relatively shorttime; and this requires apparatus which facilitates the loading andunloading of the pallets from the apparatus, and which performs acleaning cycle in a short period of time. With apparatus having a shortcleaning cycle, it can be made most efficient and economic if it is alsoadapted to handle pipe of a wide range of sizes so that the maximum usecan be made of each pallet cleaning machine which might be used in aconcrete pipe manufacturing plant. Also the apparatus should provide forquick changeover from one size pallet to another.

Accordingly it is a principal object of this invention to provide animproved mechanized apparatus for cleaning die pallets.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which isadapted to handle a wide range of sizes of pallets, and which is readilychanged over to handle a pallet of different size.

A further object of this invention is to provide such apparatus whereinthe pallets may be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded from theapparatus.

Still another object is to provide such apparatus which is simple andrugged in construction, and provides for ease of operation.

These objects are accomplished in apparatus which includes a base havingfirst and second rotatable support units spaced about horizontal axesfor supporting a ring member in a vertical plane. A drive motor drivesthe first rotatable support unit, and a carriage for the secondrotatable support unit is mounted for rectilinear movement relative tothe first unit. An upright standard mounted on the base carriesacarriage mounted for rectilinear movement, which in turn carries arotatable guide unit for supporting the ring member at its upperperiphery; and this carriage is secured to the standard at selectedpositions. At least one powered brush unit is adjustably mounted on thebase for movement relative to the ring support plane; with the poweredbrush unit comprising a platform, a rotary drive motor mounted forreciprocating movement on the platform, a rotary brush driven by themotor, and power means for selectively reciprocating the brush motorrelative to th platform to engage the brush with the ring member. Theplatform is adjustably mounted on the base.

More particularly, a plurality of brush units are provided, and suitablecontrol means are provided for rotating the supported ring, driving theseveral brushes of the brush units, and moving the rotating brushes intoengagement with the rotating ring.

The novel features and the advantages of the invention, as well asadditional objects thereof, will be understood more fully from thefollowing description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of apparatus according to the invention,partially broken away to show the relationships of the component partsto each other and to a supported ring;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus from the plane 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the several brush cleaningfunctions for the apparatus of FIG. 1; and i FIG. 4 is a fragmentaryfront elevation view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, apreferred form of apparatus according to the invention includes a base10, a superstructure frame 11, and housings l2 and 13 which enclosecertain components of the apparatus to be described. The base isgenerally rectangular, with the housings 12 and 13 being mounted at therear edge of the base and of the apparatus; and accordingly FIG. 1 is aside view of the right side of the apparatus, as viewed from the front.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the base is made up of framing members such as 4X 4 steel tubing preferably welded together and defining left and rightfloor portions 14 and 15 having suitable floor panels, and definingbetween them a floor opening or slot 16 extending from the front to therear of the apparatus base.

A die pallet ring 20,- as illustrated in the drawings, may have anominal diameter of 36 inches for example and, as best seen in FIG. 3,includes a rim portion 21, an outer'radial flange 22 and an inner radialflange 23, these flanges extending from opposite edges of the rimportion.

The ring is supported in a generally vertical plane above the floor slot16 by means of two rotatable support units '24 and 25 mounted on thebase and an upper rotatable guide unit 26 supported above the base 10.

The support unit 24 is also the drive unit for rotating the pallet ring20 and, as' best seen in FIG. 2, consists of a rubber tired wheel 30 anda disk 31 mounted in spaced relation on a shaft 32 which is journaled inbearings 33 mounted on the opposite sides of the base slot 16. The shaftextends into the housing 12 and carries a sprocket 34. This unit isdriven by an electric motor 35 through a gear reduction unit 36 drivinga sprocket 37 coupled to sprocket 34 by a suitable drive chain 38. Thewheel 30 and the disk 31 define an annular groove for accommodating andretaining the ring outer flange g The idler support unit 25 has asimilarconstruction and is carried on a carriage 40 supported forreciprocating sliding movement on the base on three parallel rails 41two of which are mounted on opposite sides of the floor slot 16. Thecarriage includes three runners 42 which engage the respective rails andare locked thereto by suitable locking screws to position the carriageand associated components a desired distance from the drive support unit24. The idler support unit also consists of a rubber tired wheel 44 andspaced disk 45 both fixed to a shaft 46 mounted in bearings 47 which aresupported on the carriage runners 42 on the opposite sides of the floorslot.

The superstructure frame 11 for the apparatus consists of front posts 50and rear posts 51 which are angled at the top to support a rail 52 whichis disposed horizontally in the plane of the floor slot 16. The rail 52is in the form of an l-beam for supporting a chain hoist and trolley 53,with the rail extending from a point near the rear end of the apparatusand projecting forwardly from the front end.

An upright standard 55,'in the form of a 4 X 4 steel tube for example,is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the base 10 and is anchored atthe top to the rail 52, with the standard being angled forward andupward as viewed from the side. Thestandard is anchored at the rail 52by means of a bracket 56; and the rail is provided with severallongitudinally spaced sets of mounting holes for the bracket 56 so thatthe bracket may be selectively located at selected points along the railfor the purpose of changing the angle of inclination of the standard 55.The standard is provided with longitudinally spacedsets of transverselyaligned holes 57, for the purpose of anchoring the guide unit 26 as willnow be described.

The guide unit 26 includes a lower square sleeve 60 and an upper squaresleeve 61 both dimensioned for sliding relation withthe square standard55. The lower sleeve is provided with transverse holes positioned foralignment with the holes 57 of the standard, so that the sleeve may belocked ina selected position by means of a suitable locking pin 62. Apair of double-acting pneumatic power cylinders 63 are mounted on thefront and rear sides of the lower sleeve 60, having their piston rodssecured to brackets on the front and rear sides of the upper sleeve 61.The upper sleeve carries a bracket 64 which rotatably supports a groovedwheel 65, having a groove dimensioned to receive the outer pallet flange22 and thereby guide and support the pallet ring in the vertical supportplane. By means of the pneumatic power cylinders, the upper sleeve andwheel 65 are reciprocated to provide for the loading and unloading ofrings.

A powered brush unit 70 for cleaning the inner surface of the ring outerflange 22 is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, being supported in elevatedposition on the carriage 40. The carriage consists of horizontal framemembers extending between the runners 42, and upright frame memberssupporting a platform 43. The brush unit includes an electric motor 71having a wire cup brush 72 fixed on its output shaft. The motor base isslidably supported on slide rods 73 mounted on the platform 43, theslide rods extending perpendicular to the ring support plane. Adouble-acting pneumatic power cylinder 74, mounted on the platforms, hasits piston rod coupled to the motor base for reciprocating the motor andbrush into and out of engagement with the ring.

As mentioned above, the entire carriage 40 is movable relative to thebase to position the idler support unit relative to the drive supportunit to accommodate the desired size of ring which is to be cleaned.This pos'itioning inherently moves the outer flange brush unit; and theplatform 43 may be adjustably mounted on the carriage for finepositioning of the brush 72 relative to the ring flange.

An inner flange brush unit 75 consists of similar components includingan electric motor 76 carrying a wire cup brush 77 on its shaft with themotor base being mounted on slide rods 78 for reciprocating movement ina direction perpendicular to the ring support plane. This motor isreciprocated by a double-acting pneumatic power cylinder 79. This innerflange brush unit 75 may be mounted on a platform or plate adjustablymounted on the base for fine adjustment of the brush 77.

A rim brush unit 80 includes a radial or street brush 81, mounted on theshaft of a drive motor 82, this unit being supported on a platform 83contained within the housing 13 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, with theplatform being elevated on a suitable frame. Again, the motor base issupported on slide rods 84 mounted on the platform, for reciprocatingmovement of the motor and brush perpendicular to the outer surface ofthe pallet ring rim 2]. The motor 82 is reciprocated relative to theplatform by a double-acting pneumatic power cylinder 85.

As seen in the drawings, the rim surface is not cylindrical, but ratheris formed by a generally conical surface. Accordingly, the axis ofrotation of the brush is angled slightly relative to the ring supportingplane. in order to accommodate different angles of inclination of theconical rim, and for other fine adjustment of the brush 81, the mountingplatform 80 is adjustable relative to its supporting platform; and forthis purpose the platform is provided with mounting slots 86 by means ofwhich the platform is secured to its frame by means of suitable bolts.

The operation of the above described apparatus will now be described inconnection with a preferred electrical and pneumatic operating circuit.The electrical circuit preferably includes a first circuit and controlswitch for operating the drive motor 35 for the drive support unit 24;and a second circuit and associated control switch for simultaneouslyoperating the several brush unit motors 71, 76 and 82. The pneumaticcircuit may consist of a first circuit including a four-way operatingvalve for controlling the pneumatic power cylinders 63 which reciprocatethe upper carriage and wheel 65 of the guide unit 26; and a secondpneumatic circuit and associated four-way operating valve forcontrolling simultaneously the power cylinders 74, 79 and 85 for theseveral brush units. In the normal position of these operating valves,the guide wheel 65 is maintained out of engagement with the die palletring and the several brushes are positioned out of the respective ringengaging positions;

For setting up the apparatus to accommodate a particular size palletring, such as a nominal 36 inch diameter for example, the ring is loadedonto the apparatus by means of the chain hoist 53, and may be supportedby the hoist while the carriage 40 and the idler support unit 25 areadjusted relative to the drive support unit to provide adequate basesupport for the pallet ring and to position the outer flange brush 72 inthe approximate position for cleaning the outer flange surface. Theguide unit 26 is then properly positioned by removing the locking pin 62for the lower sleeve 60 and repositioning the unit so that the wheel 65is adjacent to the ring flange 22. This wheel 65 should be approximatelyabove the center of rotation of the pallet ring; and if this is not thecase the position may be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly by changingthe upper mounting position of the standard 55 relative to the rail 52.The cylinders 63 are then actuated to engage the wheel 65 with the ringflange.

Next the rim brush unit 80 may be adjusted relative to the rim surface21 by appropriate adjustment of the platform 83 relative to itssupporting frame. The inner flange brush unit 75 may be adjusted byappropriate positioning of its mounting platform relative to theapparatus base; and the outer flange brush unit 70 may be adjusted andaligned through adjustment of its mounting platform 43 relative to thecarriage frame.

The cleaning cycle then would be to energize the electric circuit forthe drive motor 35 to rotate the pallet ring, energize the electriccircuit for the brush drive motors to rotate the several brushes, thenoperate the pneumatic brush control valve to the operate" position tomove the several brushes into engagement with respect to surfaces to becleaned. At the completion of cleaning, the brush control valve is againshifted to the normal position to retract the brushes from the cleanedsurfaces, and the two motor control switches are switched to the offposition to stop all drive motors.

Next the cleaned ring is engaged by the hoist and the pneumatic circuitfor the guide unit is shifted to the normal position to release thewheel 65 from the ring flange, whereby the ring 20 may be removed fromthe apparatus using the hoist, and another ring of the same size loadedonto the apparatus.

What has been described is apparatus for the intendedpurpose which isconvenient to use and simple in operation, which is adjustable to handlepallet rings of varying size constructed to handle rings of large andconsiderable weight, and which enables the economic cleaning of diepallet rings.

While three particular brush units have been described, it will beapparent that agreater or lesser number of brush units may be employedwith the apparatus. While pneumatic 'power cylinders have been describedfor reciprocating the several brush units, it will be apparent thatother forms of reciprocating power devices may be used.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that otherchanges and modifications may be resorted to without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cleaning a ring member comprising a base; first andsecond support units mounted on said base for rotation about spacedhorizontal axes, for supporting a ring member in a generally verticalplane; a drive motor mounted on said base for driving said firstrotatable support unit; carriage means, for said second support unit,adjustably mounted on said base for receiprocating movement relative tosaid first support unit;

an upright standard mounted on said base; a carriage mounted on saidstandard for rectilinear movement therealong; a guide unit rotatablymounted on said last named carriage about an axis parallel to the axesof said support units; means for securing said guide unit carriage atselected positions on said standard; said support units and said guideunit defining a three point rotatable support for a ring member;

at least one powered brush unit mounted on said base; and said poweredbrush unit comprising a platform, a rotary drive motor mounted forrectilinear movement on said platform, a rotary brush driven by saidmotor, power means mounted on said platform for selectivelyreciprocating said brush drive motor relative thereto; and said platformbeing mounted on said base to position said brush for powered movementinto and out of engagement with a ring surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 for cleaning a ring member including a rimportion and an external flange portion each of said rotatable supportunits comprising a first rotor having a resilient peripheral surface forengagement with the ring rim portion, and a second rotor spaced fromsaid first rotor to define a groove for accommodating and guiding saidexternal flange portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 said means for securing said guide unitcarriage comprising a second guide unit carriage mounted for rectilinearmovement, means for locking said second guide unit carriage at selectedpositions on said standard, and at least one extensible fluid motorcoupling said first and second guide unit carriages for reciprocatingthe first carriage relative to the second carriage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 said power means for selectivelyreciprocating said brush drive motor comprising an extensible fluidmotor coupling said motor and said platform.

5. The apparatus of claim .1

a plurality of said powered brush units mounted on said base; eachpowered brush unit comprising a platform, a rotary motor mounted forreciprocating movement on said platform, a rotary brush driven by saidmotor, and power means mounted on said platform for reciprocating saidbrush motor relative thereto; and said brush unit platforms beingmounted on said base to position said brushes for powered movement intoand out of engagement with respective ring surfaces.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 one of said powered brush units including aradial brush for engagement with a rim surface of saidring member, withsaid powered reciprocating means moving said brush in its rotating planetoward and away from the respective ring member surface; and at leastone other powered brush unit including a cup brush, with the brush beingmovable in the direction of the rotational axis of the brush to bringthe brush into engagement with a side surface of the ring member.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 each of said powered brush units includingan electric rotary motor for driving its respective brush; said powermeans for driving said first rotatable support unit comprising anelectric rotary motor;

control means for said apparatus comprising a first switch means forenergizing said supportunit drive motor, second switch means forenergizing said brush unit drive motors, and a control device foractuating the brush unit powered reciprocating means.

8. The apparatus of claim said powered reciprocating means comprisingdouble-acting pneumatic power cylinders.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 an overhead frame supported on said base;said standard being pivotally mounted on said base and being secured tosaid frame at its upper end; and means on said overhead frame forselectively positioning the upper end of said standard to select theangle of inclination of said standard.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 an overhead frame mounted on said base;rail means supported on said frame, disposed in parallel relation tosaid base and generally in the ring member support plane defined by saidsupport and guide units; and a hoist supported on said rail forrectilinear movement therealongl 11. The apparatus of claim 1 saidpowered brush unit comprising a radial brush carried on its rotary motorshaft;

a mounting plate for said powered brush units; said mounting platecarrying guide means for rectilinear movement of said motor carriage andextensible fluid motor coupled between said plate and said motorcarriage and defining said means for selectively reciprocating saidbrush units;

said mounting plate being adjustable relative to said base to orientsaid brush relative to the ring surface to be cleaned.

1. Apparatus for cleaning a ring member comprising a base; first andsecond support units mounted on said base for rotation about spacedhorizontal axes, for supporting a ring member in a generally verticalplane; a drive motor mounted on said base for driving said firstrotatable support unit; carriage means, for said second support unit,adjustably mounted on said base for receiprocating movement relative tosaid first support unit; an upright standard mounted on said base; acarriage mounted on said standard for rectilinear movement therealong; aguide unit rotatably mounted on said last named carriage about an axisparallel to the axes of said support units; means for securing saidguide unit carriage at selected positions on said standard; said supportunits and said guide unit defining a three point rotatable support for aring member; at least one powered brush unit mounted on said base; andsaid powered brush unit comprising a platform, a rotary drive motormounted for rectilinear movement on said platform, a rotary brush drivenby said motor, power means mounted on said platform for selectivelyreciprocating said brush drive motor relative thereto; and said platformbeing mounted on said base to position said brush for powered movementinto and out of engagement with a ring surface.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 for cleaning a ring member including a rim portion and anexternal flange portion each of said rotatable support units comprisinga first rotor having a resilient peripheral surface for engagement withthe ring rim portion, and a second rotor spaced from said first rotor todefine a groove for accommodating and guiding said external flangeportIon.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 said means for securing said guideunit carriage comprising a second guide unit carriage mounted forrectilinear movement, means for locking said second guide unit carriageat selected positions on said standard, and at least one extensiblefluid motor coupling said first and second guide unit carriages forreciprocating the first carriage relative to the second carriage.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 said power means for selectively reciprocating saidbrush drive motor comprising an extensible fluid motor coupling saidmotor and said platform.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 a plurality of saidpowered brush units mounted on said base; each powered brush unitcomprising a platform, a rotary motor mounted for reciprocating movementon said platform, a rotary brush driven by said motor, and power meansmounted on said platform for reciprocating said brush motor relativethereto; and said brush unit platforms being mounted on said base toposition said brushes for powered movement into and out of engagementwith respective ring surfaces.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 one of saidpowered brush units including a radial brush for engagement with a rimsurface of said ring member, with said powered reciprocating meansmoving said brush in its rotating plane toward and away from therespective ring member surface; and at least one other powered brushunit including a cup brush, with the brush being movable in thedirection of the rotational axis of the brush to bring the brush intoengagement with a side surface of the ring member.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5 each of said powered brush units including an electric rotarymotor for driving its respective brush; said power means for drivingsaid first rotatable support unit comprising an electric rotary motor;control means for said apparatus comprising a first switch means forenergizing said support unit drive motor, second switch means forenergizing said brush unit drive motors, and a control device foractuating the brush unit powered reciprocating means.
 8. The apparatusof claim 5 said powered reciprocating means comprising double-actingpneumatic power cylinders.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 an overhead framesupported on said base; said standard being pivotally mounted on saidbase and being secured to said frame at its upper end; and means on saidoverhead frame for selectively positioning the upper end of saidstandard to select the angle of inclination of said standard.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 an overhead frame mounted on said base; rail meanssupported on said frame, disposed in parallel relation to said base andgenerally in the ring member support plane defined by said support andguide units; and a hoist supported on said rail for rectilinear movementtherealong.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 said powered brush unitcomprising a radial brush carried on its rotary motor shaft; a mountingplate for said powered brush units; said mounting plate carrying guidemeans for rectilinear movement of said motor carriage and extensiblefluid motor coupled between said plate and said motor carriage anddefining said means for selectively reciprocating said brush units; saidmounting plate being adjustable relative to said base to orient saidbrush relative to the ring surface to be cleaned.